Grandmaster Wong Shun Leung

Wong Shun Leung (1935-1997)"King of Talking Hands"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.Wong Shun Leung studied several martial styles in his youth including Tai Chi and Boxing. Wong had a fascination with legendary Wing Chun figures such as Chan Wah Shun and the great Leung Jan.This eventually led him to meet Ip Man (some say that they had a sparring match which Wong lost) and so he became a member of Ip Man's Wing Chun class. Wong became active in Beimo (semi organised bare knuckle challenge fights) and was never defeated. This elevated Wing Chun within the martial arts community.In time Wong helped Ip Man teach and, indeed, his accumulated knowledge acquired through trial and error within his many Beimo matches, helped Ip Man shape Wing Chun into what it is today.One of his most famous students was the late Bruce Lee. Lee once wrote in a letter to Wong: "even though I'm technically a student of Ip Man, in reality I learned my kung fu from you". Wong was believed to have carried this letter within his wallet.Because he was never defeated in 100 fights he was once asked if he was the best fighter in the world. "No," he replied, "only the second best." When then asked who was the best, he replied "I have not met him yet."